Method
Paycheck percentage budget: split the check before it spends itself
Percentage budgeting works on paychecks: each check is split — so much for bills, so much for savings, so much for fun — before any of it is spent. A paycheck percentage budget puts the split on the calendar, so every check arrives already allocated.
- Per-check percentages
Every check split into bills, savings and spending before it lands.
- The split, dated
Each allocation appears on the calendar as a planned item.
- Repeats every check
Recurring percentages apply automatically to each payday.
- Shortfalls visible
See which check cannot cover its percentage before it lands.
A split that adapts to lumpy income
The advantage of percentages over fixed amounts: the split scales with the check. A big invoice month funds more savings; a thin month still funds the essential percentage. The calendar shows the consequence of each split before the money arrives.
A sensible starting split
| Bucket | Percent | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | 50% | Housing, food, transport, minimum debt |
| Savings | 20% | Emergency fund, goals, buffer |
| Flexible | 30% | Everything else, guilt-free |
Frequently asked questions
What is a paycheck percentage budget?
Splitting each paycheck into fixed percentages — essentials, savings, flexible — so every check arrives pre-allocated.
Does it work with irregular income?
Yes — percentages scale with each check, which is exactly what lumpy income needs.
Is it free?
Yes — the calendar and recurring plans are free forever.
Every check pre-split
Free core, one-time Pro, no bank linking.